Both spoke very well.

Their stance on being 'on the ground' is very encouraging.

Live in Mayo. Work in Mayo. Get your gym sessions done in Mayo. Get your physio in Mayo. Fuel yourself in Mayo. Soak in the love of football here. We are either Mayo people or we are not.

The county simply has to get behind the team now. Park the performative anger around 2021 and move on.

[Deleted].

So excited after hearing the boys being interviewed, common sense talk. Delighted Conor Finn is on board.
Hopefully Cillian will join up & bring his wealth of experience & leadership to the team.
Looking forward to supporting all the future Mayo exploits. We are lucky to live in such a great GAA county,

If this isn't successful it sounds like it definitely won't be for the want of trying. No half measures here.Really hope it works out for them...and us.

Great interview, lads.

Andy saying he went back playing club because he didn't want to coach a game he'd never played ... speaks volumes.

Boyler saying Mayo need to earn the right to be part of the conversation about winning All-Irelands and making damn sure we know he intends to make that happen.

Encouraged by the focus on building standards, and on getting lads home to Mayo, and having the facilities here for them.

Some reservations still ... but willing to risk getting my heart broken again.

Also absolutely epic news about Diane O'Hora being ratified tonight too. I think that will transform the atmosphere around Mayo LGFA, and will bring both players and supporters back on board. Credit to the new executive on getting their business done quickly and professionally. I would hope the Mayo media gives that appointment the attention it deserves. If I had to put money on who'd bring a senior All-Ireland home first, I know where I'd be putting it.

New eras all round. Up Mayo.

No BS. Straight talking men. Really looking forward to seeing what they can do. I’m excited about this. Two very intelligent men with Mayo’s best interests at heart. Delighted to hear them mention a program of SnC from U17 up. Best of luck to them all and time for all Mayo supporters to get behind them.

Buzzin’

C’mon Anne-Marie! You said someday you might read here a positive comment from me…well todays the day. Throw off those shackles of reservations and let’s go full throttle again. I’ve been to every single one of our finals since abd inclidung 89. Im as mentally burnt as anyone and yeah, there was an anger after 21 and rightfully so but I trust these boys. I’m excited but they’ll need time, support (from us) and patience. It might take a few years. It likely will but if they can get our best lads togged out in green & red then there’s no reason why we can’t get there. I fully believe they have the stuff to do it. Cmon Mayo!!! Let’s get there.

It’s just a pity that as I slowly get on board the excitement we have months to wait for a game.

But I’m even more interested in club championship now and the potential for new faces in the panel. Going on form from last year, fellas who played to their potential, or showed that they can contribute and step up, I’d say as little as 10 players would be selected again. We obviously won’t have that level of turnover but I’d really love the standard to be high and players genuinely concerned for their place on the panel. Nothing like a bit of competition for places.

A common sense appointment and I also think Boyle is a great no. 2. The boys hardly have a rib of grey hair but it's amazing what a few years in the hot seat can do - may resemble the distinguished interviewer by then.

Gojonnygo - no such details were confirmed last night and it's certainly not your place to be making unsubstantiated claims to that effect.

I took from that that Cillian o'connor will definitely be back, just the very fact that his name was acknowledged.

[Deleted].

I'm really happy with Andy Moran appointment and his backroom team Boyler is a great man that understands the younger players which is important going forward in the next two three years given the great work he has done with the minor squad under Sean Deane and then with the under 19s developing squad under 20s last year.He had the last three or four years working with a talented group of players.
Made no mistake this is a rebuilding job and mayo fans need to have patience I expect to see steady progress year on year and win Sam Maguire in 2028 .
If that happens Andy Moran will be legend not only as a player but as a manager as well.
Would love to see it happening.

[Deleted].

Can everyone please stop spreading stories about players’ plans? I don’t care if they’re correct or not but it’s utterly unfair for the players in question for their stories about their possible plans to get bandied about here without any confirmation having been given about what they may or may not be doing.

Mayonaze ...Time - that's the key ... listening to the boys last night they were very adamant that change can happen quickly under the right conditions (e.g. nearly losing to London in 2011 and then going on to beat Cork) and I would share their optimism that we will see a turnaround in Mayo's fortunes. But if they don't win a Connacht next year or get relegated, will the knives be out? We have become so mired in negativity (I am including myself in that) since 2021 that you'd worry the naysayers will quickly get loud. I hope if things don't start flying straight away that we will give them time and patience - if there is a sense the trajectory is right, which, to be fair, there wasn't over the past couple of years.

We should be using McGeeney here as an example of what can happen given time and patience, but at least Armagh had a win under their belts in recent living memory, and that's the difference.

It was also refreshing to hear the lads talking about the need to bring everyone along with them and rebuild connections that have been lost since 2021 - and to say that they would be talking to the media. I hope that remains the case - we had high hopes for the last regime but it turned out to be a very closed shop in the end. And what did that approach achieve? Absolutely nothing.

Did anyone listen to John McMonagle's recent interview on the Mayo Football pod? Listening to him would give you real hope and optimism for the future.

Great podcast as usual well done lads. I think with Andy and the helm it will be an exciting few years ahead

The lads enthusiasm and love of the game and passion for Mayo really comes across which is such a positive.

It doesn’t feel like they have an answer to every question or they didn’t really convey their 1-2-3 year plan. Colm when he was talking wasn’t fully sure on his own role for example. The more I think of it, Andy Morans had a great mentorship with John OMahony and Horan

These two lads will know pretty much every player in Mayo at Senior and Intermediate level and if there are lads at Junior clubs, I’ve no doubt they will be all over them too.

Can we say the county board did a good job in this process? Doesn’t sound like it was too convoluted. Will Andy’s slide show be released to the general public?

I have to admit I’m absolutely buzzin , just feels good , I’m not getting carried away or anything like it , no reason to yet , you’d be very confident the two lads though are going to give it everything and like I’ve said previous they might not have all Ireland medals but they’ve played at the highest level in serious games and not that long ago , they’ll know exactly what needs to be done to get us back there . Andy is no daftie either he wouldn’t take the job if he didn’t think he could eventually take us to the promised land .

I really hope we as supporters can get behind this , there was a special connection between the team they played on and the supporters , let’s revive it .

The enthusiasm, confidence and passion from both Andy and Boyler is infectious.
No disrespect to previous mgmt, but that was badly lacking and supporters feed off that type of thing.
It's hard not to look forward to what the next couple of years might bring. It's great to have a feel good factor around Mayo again, but of course, a ball hasn't been kicked yet...

Have to agree sean this does seem a very positive introduction for the lads .They have a knowledge of the the club scene that mcentee couldn’t possibly have and Andy has been very respectful to the previous management while also acknowledging that there are players who should still be involved.i think they will bring the excitement and optimism back to mayo football .They just come across as two lads you would love to play for .

It's refreshing that's for sure, Andy saying management is not a young man's game anymore and how important the new rules are, making it essentially a new game was a breath of fresh air.

Doesn't guarantee success obviously, but for prospective players alone it must sound like a weight off their shoulders.

I think generally we have been ok numbers 1 to 7. We seemed defensively sound enough. We need to be trying out another keeper if only to keep Reape on his toes.
The challenge for management is to improve us 8 to 15. I'd be bringing Flynn back into midfield for starters.
No better man than Andy to sort the forward lines out. The hard currency for the forwards has to be points on the board. Youd think Kuba will get a chance and deservedly so. A fit Tommy Conroy would be a huge plus. Hopefully we can get a few of the Under 20 lads through. Perhaps one or both of the forwards who opted out might fancy another go.
I'll be interested to see how Towey does on Andys watch. Sometimes you get a hunch that a player might be right for a manager and vice versa. Towey knows where the posts are no doubt about that. Hopefully Andy can get a tune out of him.

Not impressed with Andy, slight dig at best players playing over last few years for Mayo. A little tone deaf of a statement, sure previous management team tried best, to manage player, ego, and what they thought right for Mayo GAA. And the amount of time and effort required for an intercounty player to put in just to get on match day squad is so much, and they have my full admiration. As a manager need to be careful with words. But sure Andy will learn, and best wishes to him and his team

As Boyler pointed out its inches not miles. Great POD, roll on 2026

While Andy didn't mention Towey,he did name check Fergal Boland and Davitt Neary, in context of the progress that can be made,which I thought was interesting.

Hope this excitement and enthusiasm finds it's way to the club championships. We could do with a few more blockbusters to whet the appetite for 2026.

@mayotillidie

I think Andy was right to say we haven't had the best players playing for us he's just being honest and that's what you want sure. Exciting times ahead .

@JoeG

Yeah agree alot of guys will up their game in club championship hopefully they will anyway as they will want to to impress Andy and Colm .

Year 1 - QF
Year 2 - SF
Year 3 - Final
Year 4 - Nirvana.
Slow steady progress will keep the faith burning bright! A quick smash and grab would be OK too :-)

I remember being at a wedding a few years and sitting next to one of the fringe Leitrim players who only played a handful of times and was subsequently dropped. He spoke so highly of Andy and showed me his phone on how much he was texting him, motivating him, giving him tips for training etc.. I couldn't get over that level of attention for one player that was not even starting. I'm excited for the years ahead and know well Andy can get more out of our players. Having that level of detail and motivation can be very powerful.

I hope they don't get ran when term is up @Seamus...or there'll be no Nirvana!

Well spotted 2 hops haha

As Andy stated, he's hoping for more continuity/cooperation from u-20s into senior , I wonder would the lads have a say then on who should be next u-20 and indeed minor managers. Or would that be un/anti democratic?

@mayotillidie i agree i don’t like disrespecting the current players who are trying there best. Amateur sport at the end of the day. We have a young squad, players like reid, irwin, Thornton, neary, Morahan, dawson, these are all players brought in this or last year (irwin played a league match in 22). They are not the best in the county but they can grow into that role. If people think bringing back O’connor, Carr, O’Hora or anyone like that is going to bring mayo back they are in LA LA land. So moran saying we haven’t picked the best comes across as a bit disrespectful

If you want to find fault, you'll find fault.
Some people obviously have decided to do that.

Absolutely ludicrous stuff now having a go at Andy Moran before he even gets started.i don’t think Andy mentioned any particular player .he probably means that the door will be left open for any players that for whatever reason weren’t involved over the last couple of years for instance could anyone say that James Carr isn’t worth a place on the panel.mcguiinness went after Michael Murphy knowing he was better than other squad members.

I don't think Moran was being disrespectful at all.

Moran is not the the type of guy to be disrespectful to anyone especially the players.

Cillian O ' Connor is still worth a place on the team he's a leader above anything and James Carr also worth a spot . Mad stuff blaming Andy for wanting the best players playing for us . As others said McGuiness went after Murphy so much because he was the best player for Donegal not playing that's exactly what Moran is saying now to .

I know Andy says in the interview we have all we need but do they really? If he let it known to the Mayo public now whats needed, it might be the easiest time to start fundraising.whats the story with S and C gym equipment ,GPS trackers , recovery equipment , video analysis equipment Do players need access to S and C gyms in all the major towns like Ballina, Claremorris and Westport,and Ballinrobe instead of players having to travel to Castlebar aswell for gym sessions.this should be let known to the Mayo public.

@Plunkett: "So moran saying we haven’t picked the best comes across as a bit disrespectful."

Facts are facts. If someone is trying to find them disrespectful, they're standing on some pretty shaky ground.

We've had 10 lads publically (McDonagh, Orme, Carr, O'Connor, O'Hora, Byrne, Plunkett, McDonnell, McStay and Hennelly - with a host more likely without it ever being disclosed, we'll have all heard rumours over the years) that were actively part of current or former panels rule themselves out of selection. That isn't usual for Mayo football and isn't something we should be happy with. I'd be delighted to hear that's something the management would hope to hope to improve and ensure we're picking from the strongest possible selection at all times.

Glancing at something specific like goalkeepers, given it's such a niche role...
I'm not sure anyone, even the lads involved themselves, would suggest we were in a better position going into the Championship with 2 sub-keepers who'd seen a grand total of 16 minutes of competitive inter-county game time (at any grade) between them rather than having the experience of Robbie or Rory for cover in an emergency. That isn't disrespectful to Aidan, John, management or anyone else, it's simply one of the scenarios we were in and as Andy and Colm suggested, something we'd as a county hope to avoid in the future with a selection from all of our best players rather than a subset of available lads.

Andy's at the wheel!

Agree @ TsuDhoNim..
It’s a tough one re the players, depending on players family/ private/ work situations .
I’m sure Andy will bring any players genuinely interested to trials .

Genuine Question Willie Joe ..
Do you think you will be, or allow posters to be as critical of this management team as happened with Kevin , Stephen and co , given your obvious connection to Colm ?

One thing I think might be underrated is how much Andy actually improved with age. He got better off his weaker foot, his movement improved..and this was a player who wasn't blessed with massive size or pace. And he started as a defender. Not to mention the injuries.

Boyler had setbacks too before becoming what he became.

Those things might help their man management & coaching

Andy Moran didn’t start off as a defender.he came on a wing back against Dublin in 2006 and played there in 2009 but to my knowledge was always a forward before and after that

Did Oisin McLaughlin not turn down a call from McStay ? Oisin is a better footballer than his brother Eoghan.I am sure Andy could entice him in , he was under Mike Solan in the All Ireland Under 21 Final in 2018.

I don’t view that as a fair question, My Ball - in fact it’s an obviously loaded one.

Notwithstanding that I would point out that reasonable comments of a critical nature have always been allowed here and nothing has changed in that respect nor do I expect it to. Criticism comes with the territory when anyone takes a management position in football.

I’d obviously echo what others have already said in hoping for supporters to be patient and to get behind Andy and his colleagues. The divisiveness and toxicity within the county in recent years has been truly depressing and sickening and a united front is long overdue.

One thing is clear. No matter what the topic on this blog even if it seems like it should be unanimously positive we’ll always get a number of detractors. This despite the fact that Andy hasn’t even named a panel yet and has only had a brief presser. Ffs give him a chance and don’t be looking for a failure and maybe he’ll prove himself a winner.

I think it's a strong management team, all three bring something to the table. Andy is inexperienced and will have to be given a certain amount of leeway, he will make mistakes. It is important that players are treated with respect, something the last management failed to do. The players make big sacrifices and that is often forgotten. I would consider the three at the top to be mentally strong. A lot of counties are on an upward curve with the intro of new rules, a Connacht title would do nicely next year.

Ontheditch, are you just assuming the last management didn’t treat the players with respect or do you have some inside information?

Sam og - as far as I know that's correct.

Apart from consistent 2-point shooters, that are now a requirement from any inter county team hoping to win an AI there is also the issue of having a top class playmaker who, like a good rugby outhalf can influence the tempo and texture of a game. So, imo management firstly need to address these issues. And, if these qualities are not readily available within the county, then try getting players from outside with a family connection. Pat Spillane jnr. is an example, who is a phenomenal 2-point shooter for Sligo. It's all fine and dandy saying it's inches not miles improvement that's needed, but if you don't have these resources, then simply it's lights out at quarter/semi stage - no question..

I have to admit I was betwixt and between whether or not I’d renew my season ticket for 2026, but after listening to the podcast the decision has been made… they’d make you feel like going back again. Rose-tinted glasses maybe, because in reality we are behind the pack at senior level, but you can only think they’ll be good for Mayo football.

From the interview last night I loved hearing Colm say everyone will be looked at , even lads that were there 4 or 5 years ago but it didnt happen for them.
Take Colms career where himself and Keiran Conroy from Shrule were both played out of position in the full back line in the Connacht Final in 2008 at 22, both dropped the following year , Conroy never played for Mayo again and Boyle gets back through a strong club campaign for Davitts in 2011.Think Aidan Orme and James Carr fall into this bracket.

@Charlie

Don't think there was a need for a dig at me there ' sure even Clare would know that ' .

With Aiden Orme and James Carr, they are two interesting forwards

Orme I always thought was a very intelligent player which is a great starting point. He is also a very good passer of the ball and his technical skill set is good. However I felt when he was playing for Mayo he lacked height, pace and his accuracy was hit and miss. 26 next season so a similar age to what Boyle was when he came back in 2012. I’d hope he has a strong club championship anyhow and see from there

Carr has alot of raw ingredients. Powerful naturally, pacy, direct and has that eye for a goal. The issue with Carr I was he could be too passive and games would pass him by. If you think about the way Tommy Conroy goes at defenders, Carr has that in his locker but didn’t do it enough. Carr is 29 next season

So far there must be 20 lads named we need to bring back. Will Andy have the budget to run with a panel of 60 or will we have to drop 10 or 15 lads from current panel and ignore any talent coming up that hasn’t played before?

@charlie no need for a dig at Clare or anyone else like that. Play the ball not the (wo)man

Charlie - as others have already said, there’s no call for making a dig like that, one I’ve now deleted.

Carr 29 next year and I don't think he ever played a full 70 minutes game for Mayo seniors. There is no doubt he can do things with the ball that no other Mayo player can. But he has never been 100% fit. Whether he can come back next year and get fit - time will tell.

Even if James Carr never does another thing in his career he's the 'ledge of Limerick ''for me.
I stick it on now and again when I need a pep up.

By saying the door is always open, it would suggest some may come back. It's no harm having options in the league. Let everyone prove they are good enough to be there. I'm not sure any of them that left are but who knows what lies ahead.
I always thought it was going to be Andy, I'm pleased colm is included. He, like Andy is a determined lad who wants to win and that's a good thing. Tally, I'm not sure on but to put a positive spin on it I did think the new rules suited some of our backs this year as they cannot be roaming as much so they stayed home and defended. Some extra defensive work can only help.
Not to repeat what everyone else is saying but midfield is huge....literally..... we need some units.
I hope every level is considered. Pull a few lads in a few catchers and give them a trial. It sounds daft but other Counties have done it with success.
Overall its positive, there's a bounce but let's not get carried away.

Don't worry Clare . Most of us love you, your enthusiasm and your passion.

@JoeG

Aww thanks so much really appreciate your comment ! : )

I'm really happy for Andy & Boyler . They deserve it .

They will do anything to get us back being competitive again . It will take time but sure we've waited long enough we can wait another while for Andy & Colm to bring us back to the top .

Exciting times ahead ( without getting ahead of myself ! )

Apologies, Clare, I said it in jest. Your interest in Mayo gaa is evident. We all want to see Connaught teams doing well, and best of luck to Andy and Colm.

29 next year … so that would give him about 5 seasons to get to the point where Andy got POTY . We get a bit too bogged down on age . If you’ve something to add to a panel at 35 or 19 , in ya go , sure what about it . Carr is dynamite I love his football , a fully fit Carr can do damage . In saying that , be very hard for men to go back committing to county football .

FFS, unfortunately there are some people in this world who go out of their way to find negatives and only seem happy when they are moaning about something. This analysing and parsing of inoffensive comments does my head in. Andy & Co.hav'nt got started yet-for God's sake, give them a decent chance, before hurling the criticism at them.

The Mayo Senior job is one of the biggest in Ireland. The saga of unsuccessful finals ensures that the manager who gets us over the line will be declared a genius for life, just as all those who failed were declared tacticaly naive failures.

Having been part of one coup de Tait in 2015, and the new team will be familiar with how Mayo recovered from it and bring that into dealing with the fallout of the 2024/5 version.

The big fear is that the obvious manager / elder player relationship doesn't result in some effort at a "last dance" type campaign that stunts future progress of the next generation.

As for giving a new team time, I dont think it's required for the supporters but of no use within the squad. Give players an excuse to fail and they often take it.

John Maughan (1996), John Mahony (1987) and James Horan (2011) had fairly solid first campaigns followed by 1-2 better ones after that.

Others, McStay (2023), O Mahony (2007), Horan (2019), Pat Holmes (2001) won the league only to flop in the championship - only Horan managed to recover from that to reach an All Ireland.

A few more won Connacht titles in their first year only to be shown the gate at the end of the season ("outsiders " Brian McDonald (by player coup) and Mickey Moran as well as Holmes/Connelly).

Liam O Neill, John O Mahony (X2) and John Maughan (first time) all had good years in year 2. James Horan (X2) and John Maughan (2nd stint,) did their best work was in year 3. Rochford and Moran are the only ones to make an All Ireland final in year 1, both with squads who had been to finals in the preceding couple of years.

Those who fail to learn the lessons of history will never learn anything, so forget the league, concentrate on a Connacht title and develop new players in 2026 who will be ready to win in 2027 or 2028. Don't plan for 2029 because you won't win (or even get near to winning) year 4 (John O Mahony (X2), John Maughan (X2) and James Horan (X2) ).

Whatever they do, I hope it isnt a '"last dance" effort for previously disgruntled players. It didn't work for jack O Shea (1993/4), John O Mahony (07), Pat Holmes (00-01) or James Horan (2019).

Every successful Mayo manager (albeit no SAM) has begun with a sense of renewal and fresh ideas and actually renewed the squad, not with disgruntled players who quit on the last guy, but with those who were left out and has something to prove in a positive mindset.

Bringing back in guys who downed tools and picking them over guys who stuck it out won't lead to good team dynamics (it never worked before) and will ensure Moran has a short, unsuccessful tenure.

John o Mahoney wasn’t in charge in 1987 and didn’t win the league in 2007

And there was no coup d'etat in 2024 or 2025.

Listening to Andy and Colm you have to live impressed with their logic and enthusiasm.
Local lads know local players.

Breathing space is what's required now, and not paralysis by analysis. Let these men do their work.

Agree….turn toward club and let the lads at it. The media focus on Mayo never ceases to amaze me. It’s constant. Contrast Ger Brennans appointment in Dublin and we’ve heard nothing.

Mark Dowd (won a Mayo Senior Championship as manager of Ballagh in '12 as well as some Connacht underage successes with Ross & coaching the Seniors in their '10 and '19 Provincial wins) the choice to be put for ratification as the new Roscommon manager.

Aside... Nice to see some of our u15s and u16 lads in action today in development finals. Success isn't the real end goal with those sides, but always a nice sign things could be going in a positive direction when it happens along the way. Fingers crossed for a positive day for all involved.

U16s , 4 down at ht v Tyrone

FT

Mayo 2-13 Tyrone 1-21

In other news Galway win the Ted Webb. Hammered Meath in the semis and hammered Kerry in the final. Looks like they will be very strong at minor next year.

Our U15s beat Kerry 3-13 2-14 in the Adam Mangan Cup final

That's a good trimming, Tyrone motoring underage.
Paddyjoe are Mayo split on two for that as in easy west or something? Thought Kerry were anyway, as in another U15 final today Tyrone beat Armagh 2-15 to 1-6.

it's 5 points gizmobobs

Gizmo , Nil aois agam

Tyrone are overly systematic and organized at underage level. For all their titles they've not produced a lot of wow players. Yes, plenty good players. But I still still think sports like Gaelic football to win titles it's mainly about every now and then producing a wow player.
Tyrone are super fit, strong and organized and will continue to mop up U17 and u20 titles.
I wouldn't worry about it.

Interviews were positive yes but would like to see what happens in the next few weeks regards trials been held, whos called in and the rest of the management team.Trials were last held in November 2018 in Bekan under James Horan.If your casting the net wide like they have said, trials will need to take place.You cant judge good players who are with weaker clubs against a player of the same standard with a strong club.Maybe Divisonal trials like which used happen with the Mayo minor.

True Tubberman, but it's the 15 scores to 22 and fact they were 8 or 10 points near end I was thinking more of. Also one the goals was a penalty.
I'm not a fan of these teams been published, don't think there should be any team lists etc for under minor age. They only kids. No need to build them up. Many still growing and possibly more physically developed than others their own age, who could be better footballers.

Was the MAC ever published that done the interviews?

Sam Og, think collective training isn't allowed until January 15th. I'd imagine trials would be considered collective training.

Club championship only started as well so won't be anything county wise any time soon.

I'd largely agree with you Gizmo on publishing the teams for u15 or u16, don't see the benefit of it.

Away for a few days and away from the blog. Jesus Willie Joe, have you got them smoking the wacky backy? It's like a San Francisco love in from the mid sixties! Peace man.

Haven't got to that podcast yet,, but am steeling myself to stay calm when I hit 'play'.

Haven't seen any list anywhere of who was on the interview panel. You'd imagine that info would be out by now. Think they bring in some independent from outside the county to go along with the CB officers, but haven't heard who that was.

Mac,

They beat North Kerry.

Just on the new management its great to see the uplift it can bring.

Next year we all start from zero again.

While I do completely get the enthusiasm if I was Andy the best thing for him would be the manage expectations a wee bit.

Andy might find that his role is not coaching but management of the whole set up.
With that in mind id be interested in who is working on the attacking side of the game.

On players returning,

Great to have them back hopefully Andy will have looked at Murphys return and the pros and cons of that.

In other news good to see oasis do a shout to Charlestown for their mum fair play !

Lads, a massive long shot, but if anyone has spare oasis tickets I’d be forever grateful

Andy and Boyler brought infectious enthusiasm when they played and will bring it to management as well. Obviously Andy wants the best players on the field and playing (don’t we all) but that is not always going to happen. I remember listening to Andy being interviewed on the evening they got promoted to Div 3 and he was bemoaning the fact that a number of Leitrim lads had made themselves unavailable. Now it should be different in Div 1 but sometimes we have no idea what’s going on in fellas lives that might make them opt out. The default position is they must have some differences with management. That may be true on some occasions but is not always the case. Anyway the lads who didn’t play are usually the “ best” lads and they would have made all the difference. We have been hearing it for years in Mayo. Looking forward to supporting Mayo under this new regime just as I have supported Mayo under all regimes. They need time and patience and I sincerely hope they are successful

At the end of the day the players are amateurs. Even the commitment to club is massive. Let the club championship play out first. I hope the games are staggered as much as possible to allow the new managent and supporters to get to a few games.
A few mouth watering clashes next weekend. Attendances would probably have been better if they played group 1 and 2 this weekend and other groups next weekend. Then we'd have a feast every weekend.

5 televised games this weekend so people will have plenty to see.

Absolutely let club games play out and get to as many games as possible. Next weekend isn't staggered the best. If you look claremorris Vs ballintubber and balla Vs mayo Gaels both at same time. Four clubs are all neighbours so loads of local interest. Same garrymore Vs ballyhaunis and davits Vs pkc. Same time and 3 clubs neighbour each other so locals can't make both. Personally I would have gone to the four game of staggered. I know that's impossible task but 3 would be possible

but to be fair to the cccc they had a new chair this year and the games were fixed very quickly after draw so I think he was trying to give clubs sufficient notice etc. I think round 3 will be better

I really hope we see Andy and his team at as many games as possible. They have plenty of rounds left to see players. In fairness to them they can only make so many changes in year one. I can't see them bring in more then six(drop 6) as need certain amount of players to be at a level they can step up. But next year if needed they can bring in six more.

A lot of talk of players who dropped out last year. Personally I wouldn't be considering to many of them. One, maybe two, bring in new players. I have 10 players in my mind who I seen play well last week and really interested to see how they do this week. I think I will get to see 6/7 again this week.

Try and get to club games next week. There is a lot of quality in the county who aren't playing with mayo. Jason gibbons, Stephen o Malley, Darragh beirne, jack Melvin, hurleys, Liam horkan, Cathal Slattery, Dylan Gallagher, Liam lavin, kuba Callaghan. That's just in south/ east part of the county. I'm probably missing more. Throw them in with county players and each senior/top intermediate club has 3 or 4 players at that level she another 4 or 5 just below. Crowds were big last week so good atmosphere as well

What games are on tv next weekend?

Fair point. Maybe round three will be better planned. I do think there are lots of supporters who would take two on board. Is 3rd round neutral venues

I'd imagine televised games will be:
Friday: Breaffy v Castlebar
Saturday: Claremorris v Ballintubber, and an intermediate game most likely
Sunday: Crossmolina V Ballina and Knockmore v Westport most likely fixtures.

Fri 22 Aug 2025
Ballyhaunis
V
Garrymore
Time: 19:00
Venue: Ballyhaunis
Referee: John Walker

Breaffy
V
Castlebar Mitchels
Time: 19:00
Venue: Breaffy
Referee: Kevin Connelly

Sat 23 Aug 2025
Claremorris
V
Ballintubber
Time: 18:30
Venue: Claremorris
Referee: Paul Lydon

Mayo Gaels
V
Balla
Time: 19:00
Venue: Mayo Gaels Main Pitch
Referee: Liam Devenney

Sun 24 Aug 2025
Knockmore
V
Westport GAA
Time: 13:00
Venue: St. Joseph's Park
Referee: John Glavey

Charlestown Sarsfields
V
Ballaghaderreen
Time: 15:00
Venue: Fr. O'Hara Park
Referee: Shane Corcoran

Crossmolina Deel Rovers
V
Ballina Stephenites
Time: 15:30
Venue: Crossmolina
Referee: Jerome Henry

Béal an Mhuirthead
V
Aghamore
Time: 15:30
Venue: Tallagh
Referee: Declan Corcoran

Cross v Ballina will be a very exciting game! Obviously I'm for Ballina but I still wouldn't begrudge Cross and Conor Loftus.

May the beat team win!

Maughan is the only one nominated according to the Connacht Telegraph.

That doesn’t count as confirmation, The West is Best, not least given the publication involved.

WJ, it's published in The Telegraph, he's only nominee so the chances of CB going rogue are slim to none:
https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/08/17/maughans-under-20-manager-nomination-is-a-massive-boost-for-mayo/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMPK8NjbGNrAw8rwGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEefzL7jkNlX7S4IgW_lbTrnvh0Pb7xNhfvmZ8vp1PonRn6pHSNDCk9uoc8yEo_aem_ZY3AhWofiE1IuPqm_kRRVw

I certainly agree with you there Willie Joe.

Apologies so WJ, I thought once was in local press it was fine.

Agree on quality of same though, unfortunately press in general is not in great place, CT with their colourful history of inaccuracies and then the Mayo News site riddled with dodgy adds nearly impossible to read.

That’s grand, Gizmobobs - once a story is reported in the press then it’s okay to mention it so I’ll withdraw my objection to your original comment. My issue is with stories that have no published source, which isn’t the case in this instance. On that basis, I’m the one who needs to apologise, which I do.

Not at all WJ, was only out. I thought had pasted link with original comment which would have cut out the confusion :)

If John Maughan it is, it’s worth recalling the following in the light of the senior job ‘coming too soon for Andy’.

JM was 28 when he became manager of Clare in 1990.

In the GAA, you can be over the hill after a 1 point defeat two weeks after winning by a point because you had bags of experience.

Similarly, you can be too young or inexperienced a week after winning by playing with youthful abandon.

Only thing I will say about John Maughan apart from him restoring pride in the county in 96 is he has incredible love and input to the game. I was in Crossmolina last Wednesday evening to watch a minor lgfa match. On the adjoining pitch the Crossmolina I think U8s were training under Enda Lavelle and there was John Maughan on the sidelines watching on. If he's the man in charge next season then it's another good choice after Andy and Diane.

@JoeG.i know it's under20 but I hope he wasn't scouting at the u8 training

@Tirawleybaron, very true will be interesting to see how the "young guns" in the Mitchels, Claremorris and Crossmolina do this weekend in the senior championship against the older experienced teams of Breaffy, Ballintubber and Ballina now being written off after the first round, another exciting weekend ahead of local football to look forward to...

I'd say at this point we can start filing one of our local papers in the fiction section for sports.

3 candidates for the 20s job, all with prior inter-county experience.

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/gaa/1873418/exclusive-three-candidates-nominated-for-mayo-under-20-job.html

It’s going to be interesting to see which paper is correct. Would side with the Mayo News myself.

I’d be inclined to agree with you Nephin

New pod up on Patreon! Rob and Mike chatting with Aidan Kilcoyne and Ger Flanagan to preview the weekend's club action.